lightning-msg - 3/30/00 Lightning precautions while camping. NOTE: See also the files: ticks-art, evnt-stewards-msg, firepits-msg, camp-ovens-msg, camp-kitchens-msg, camp-showers-msg, privvies-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 13:13:12 MST From: "Leslie Miller" Subject: ANST - Lightning safety - long To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org At Gulf Wars last week, the decision was made by one of the marshals to stop the rapier melees because of an impending thunderstorm. When this decision was made, I heard many remarks from participants to the effect of, "What an idiot! It wasn't even raining! The storm wasn't even overhead! This guy is paranoid!" etc. As a mundane safety professional and several year storm spotter for the city of Stillwater, these comments alarmed me, because to my mind, the marshal made the absolutely correct decision to cancel the melees when he did. So, because I care very much for the health and safety of my fellow SCAers, I thought this might be an appropriate time to conduct some lightning safety education. Because I've already been looked at like I had three heads for saying that lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the main storm; I have copied the proceeds of the multi-agency recommendations for lightning safety based on the proceeds from the American Meteorological Society Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, 1998. I trust that this will serve as a sufficiently authoritative source. I have edited the full article for brevity, but it is available at: www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/multiagency_recommendation.html They recommend teaching this slogan: "If you can see it - flee it; if you can hear it - clear it." ------- "ABSTRACT On average, lightning causes more casualties annually in the US than any other storm related phenomena, except floods. Many people incur injuries or are killed due to misinformation and inappropriate behavior during thunderstorms. A few simple precautions can reduce many of the dangers posed by lightning. In order to standardize recommended actions during thunderstorms, a group of qualified experts from various backgrounds collectively have addressed personal safety in regard to lightning, based on recently improved understanding of thunderstorm behavior. Safer Locations during Thunderstorms and Locations to Avoid No place is absolutely safe from the lightning threat, however, some places are safer than others. Large enclosed structures (substantially constructed buildings) tend to be much safer than smaller or open structures. The risk for lightning injury depends on whether the structure incorporates lightning protection, construction materials used, and the size of the structure (see NFPA 780, Appendix E & H). In general, fully enclosed metal vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, vans, fully enclosed farm vehicles, etc. with the windows rolled up provide good shelter from lightning. Avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside or inside the vehicle. AVOID being in or near: High places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, communications towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.). When inside a building AVOID: Use of the telephone, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc. Safety Guidelines for Individuals Generally speaking, if an individual can see lightning and/or hear thunder he/she is already at risk. Louder or more frequent thunder indicates that lightning activity is approaching, increasing the risk for lightning injury or death. If the time delay between seeing the flash (lightning) and hearing the bang (thunder) is less than 30 seconds, the individual should be in, or seek a safer location (see Safer Locations during Thunderstorms and Locations to Avoid). Be aware that this method of ranging has severe limitations in part due to the difficulty of associating the proper thunder to the corresponding flash. High winds, rainfall, and cloud cover often act as precursors to actual cloud-to-ground strikes notifying individuals to take action. Many lightning casualties occur in the beginning, as the storm approaches, because people ignore these precursors. Also, many lightning casualties occur after the perceived threat has passed. Generally, the lightning threat diminishes with time after the last sound of thunder, but may persist for more than 30 minutes. When thunderstorms are in the area but not overhead, the lightning threat can exist even when it is sunny, not raining, or when clear sky is visible. Recognize that personal observation of lightning may not be sufficient; additional information such as a lightning detection system or additional weather information may be required to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adequate advance warning. Remember, lightning is always generated and connected to a thundercloud but may strike many miles from the edge of the thunderstorm cell. Acceptable downtime (time of alert state) has to be balanced with the risk posed by lightning. Accepting responsibility for larger groups of people requires more sophistication and diligence to assure that all possibilities are considered. First Aid Recommendations for Lightning victims Most lightning victims can actually survive their encounter with lightning, especially with timely medical treatment. Individuals struck by lightning do not carry a charge and it is safe to touch them to render medical treatment. Follow these steps to try to save the life of a lightning victim: First: Call 911 to provide directions and information about the likely number of victims. Response: The first tenet of emergency care is "make no more casualties". If the area where the victim is located is a high risk area (mountain top, isolated tree, open field, etc.) with a continuing thunderstorm, the rescuers may be placing themselves in significant danger. Evacuation: It is relatively unusual for victims who survive a lightning strike to have major fractures that would cause paralysis or major bleeding complications unless they have suffered a fall or been thrown a distance. As a result, in an active thunderstorm, the rescuer needs to choose whether evacuation from very high risk areas to an area of lesser risk is warranted and should not be afraid to move the victim rapidly if necessary. Rescuers are cautioned to minimize their exposure to lightning as much as possible. Resuscitation: If the victim is not breathing, start mouth to mouth resuscitation. If it is decided to move the victim, give a few quick breaths prior to moving them. Determine if the victim has a pulse by checking the pulse at the carotid artery (side of the neck) or femoral artery (groin) for at least 20- 30 seconds. If no pulse is detected, start cardiac compressions as well. In situations that are cold and wet, putting a protective layer between the victim and the ground may decrease the hypothermia that the victim suffers which can further complicate the resuscitation. In wilderness areas and those far from medical care, prolonged basic CPR is of little use: the victim is unlikely to recover if they do n ot respond within the first few minutes. If the pulse returns, the rescuer should continue ventilation with rescue breathing if needed for as long as practical in a wilderness situation. However, if a pulse does not return after twenty t o thirty minutes of good effort, the rescuer should not feel guilty about stopping resuscitation. CONCLUSION Avoid unnecessary exposure to the lightning threat during thunderstorm activity. Follow these safety recommendations to reduce the overall number of lightning casualties. An individual ultimately must take responsibility for his or her own safety and should take appropriate action when threatened by lightning. School teachers, camp counselors, coaches, lifeguards, and other adults must take responsibility for the safety of children in their care. A weather radio and the use of lightning detection data in conjunction with an action plan are prudent components of a lightning warning policy, especially when larger groups and/or longer evacuation times are involved." The article also discusses action plans for large outdoor gatherings, so seneschals and autocrats who may be interested in such things might want to check it out. There are additional websites with lightning safety information: The National Lightning Safety Institute: http://www.lightningsafety.com/ The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN): http://www.glatmos.com/ The National Severe Storms Laboratory lightning page: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/researchitems/lightning.shtml Sabrina's Lightning Strike Page (great for kids): http://www.azstarnet.com/~anubis/sabintro.htm I apologize for the length of this missive, but I hope that it has been informative. YIS, Gunhilda Edited by Mark S. Harris lightning-msg Page 4 of 4